‘Social media at the centre of fake news’

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on Saturday, said the Federal Government campaign against fake news had recorded significant progress.

Mohammed, who stated this at the inaugural lecture of the Guild of Professional Bloggers of Nigeria in Lagos on Saturday, applauded the GPBN for the “timely” event.

He said, “Your lecture and the topic could not have come at a better time. My office also launched a national campaign against fake news on July 11. I fought with my effort to create a national awareness on the mayhems of fake news.

“Since then, the campaign has recorded tremendous approval, which includes creating national awareness and pushing the issue of fake news into extinction.”

The minister lamented the instrument of social media in the spread of fake news and the ease of access to social media, which he said had resulted in the proliferation of false information.

He, however, noted that fake news was not limited to social media, adding that it had been in existence for a long time.

Mohammed said, “Social media is at the centre of the fake news phenomenon. I agree that fake news is not limited to social media; I also agree that fake news is not new. What is new, however, is the way and manner that fake news spreads and social media is the catalyst of that spread.”

The minister urged bloggers to eschew fake news, adding that the country could not afford the further spread of false information.

According to him, fake news is more of a threat to national unity and peace than other issues.

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